USDA relocated research agencies despite warnings of high staff attrition
In 2019, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the government would save $300 million over 15 years by moving two research agencies to Kansas City from the District of Columbia. However, congressional auditors now say USDA’s selection process was flawed and disregarded estimates that up to 75 percent of employees would quit rather than move.
Two more bird flu outbreaks on Pennsylvania egg farms
In less than three months, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has killed more than 31 million birds, mostly chickens and turkeys, in domestic flocks from the Atlantic coast into the Rockies, according to USDA data released Sunday. Officials said bird flu was identified on two additional egg farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with a combined 2 million hens.
Episode 3 of Hot Farm, FERN’s new podcast, drops Tuesday!
Get ready for the next episode of Hot Farm, our new podcast series. Over four episodes, host Eve Abrams talks to farmers across the Midwest about the reality of climate change and what they are doing — or could be doing — to fight it. Farming accounts for a full 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions so if we’re serious about fighting climate change, farmers need to be part of the solution. Find Hot Farm wherever you get your podcasts.
Today’s Quick Hits
Indonesia bans palm exports: Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of palm oil, announced an indefinite ban of exports because of high domestic prices and shortages of cooking oil. (Nikkei)
War slashes Ukraine crops: Ukraine will harvest far smaller crops this year — 19.4 million tonnes of wheat and 18.6 million tonnes of corn compared to 33 million and 41.9 million tonnes in 2021. (International Grains Council)
Gilroy Garlic Festival canceled: A golf tournament and a country music concert will replace the traditional Gilroy Garlic Festival because of “lingering uncertainties” of the pandemic and “prohibitive insurance requirements,” said the association that ran the California festival for 42 years. (Gilroy Dispatch)
Traffic delays, low payoff: Texas state troopers found no drugs, weapons or other contraband but took 850 trucks off the road for repairs during the eight days that Gov. Greg Abbott, as part of a crackdown on immigrants, ordered inspections of every commercial truck entering the state from Mexico. (Texas Tribune)
Infrastructure gets $799 million: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $799 million in funding for climate-smart infrastructure projects in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianna Islands. (USDA)
On The Calendar
Monday
North American Agricultural Journalists annual meeting, through Tuesday, Washington.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Michael Regan join North Carolina agriculture commissioner Steve Troxler at an agricultural roundtable discussion, Raleigh, North Carolina.
American Dairy Products and American Butter hold annual joint conference, through Tuesday, Chicago.
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET. At present, food prices are forecast to rise an average of 5 percent this year compared to 2021 prices. It would be the highest annual inflation rate since 2008.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on S 4030, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, and S 3870, the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act, 10 a.m. ET.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Michael Regan “highlight water infrastructure investments in rural America” during a visit to Franklin County, North Carolina.
Wednesday
The chief executives of the four largest meat processors are lead witnesses at the House Agriculture Committee hearing online, “An examination of price discrepancies, transparency and alleged unfair practices in cattle markets,” 10 a.m. ET.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf is lead witness at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2023 budget for the agency, 10 a.m. ET.
U.S. Forest Service chief Randy Moore is lead witness at the House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2023 budget for the agency, 2 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is lead witness at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2023 budget for the USDA, 10 a.m. ET.
The House Agriculture Committee holds a hearing online, “A 2022 review of the farm bill: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” 10 a.m. ET.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf is lead witness at Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the FDA fiscal 2023 budget, 10 a.m. ET, 124 Dirksen.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is lead witness at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2023 budget for the Interior Department, 9 a.m. ET.
House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, “Preventing pandemics through U.S. wildlife-borne disease surveillance,” 10 a.m. ET, 1324 Longworth.
The School Nutrition Association holds National Leadership Conference, through Saturday, West Palm Beach, Florida.
USDA releases annual Poultry Production and Value report, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
Senate Agriculture Committee holds its first hearing on 2023 farm bill, 10 a.m. ET, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
EPA administrator Michael Regan is lead witness at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2023 budget for the agency, 9 a.m. ET.
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices report, 3 p.m. ET.
